Trade in commercial services

According to the World Trade Organisation, trade in commercial services* (measured by totting up exports) rose by 11% in 2006, much the same pace as in the previous six years. Trade in goods rose by 15%: its growth rate has exceeded that of services trade every year since 2003. Of the countries in our chart, India enjoyed the biggest proportionate rise in services exports last year: by 34%, to $73 billion. Its imports grew even more quickly, by 40%, to $70 billion. America topped the imports league, with $307 billion, as well as that for exports, with $387 billion. Of the five categories of services listed by the WTO, “other” is the biggest and fastest-growing. It rose by 13% in 2006.